Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has officially announced that its hospitals have received accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI), a prestigious global authority that evaluates healthcare institutions based on rigorous quality and safety standards.
The accreditation marks a significant milestone in HMC’s journey toward becoming an internationally recognized center of medical excellence. This achievement is the result of three years of continuous effort by HMC’s 15,000-strong team—from senior neurologists to triage nurses—all of whom contributed to aligning the organization with JCI’s world-class benchmarks.
JCI, a division of Joint Commission Resources (JCR), is a globally respected body that accredits only those medical institutions that meet or exceed its stringent criteria. The Joint Commission and its predecessor organizations have spent over 55 years improving healthcare quality and patient safety worldwide, having accredited over 20,000 medical centers. In the Middle East, HMC’s hospitals now represent five of just 17 facilities that have earned JCI accreditation.
To qualify for accreditation, HMC underwent extensive audits and demonstrated compliance across a wide range of criteria, including:
Comprehensive and safe patient care from admission to discharge
Strategic leadership and management accountability
Risk reduction and clinical safety standards
Continued Commitment to Excellence
HMC remains committed to innovation and continuous improvement. It partners with global healthcare leaders to address patients’ evolving needs and develop specialized services.
Dr. Latifa Al Houty, Chairperson of the HMC Board of Directors, acknowledged the achievement as part of Qatar’s broader vision:
“Guided by the vision of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, we have worked to establish an integrated, state-of-the-art healthcare system. This accreditation confirms that our services meet the highest global standards and positions us to expand our specialized care offerings.”
The announcement was celebrated at the newly opened Hamad Medical Education Center, with staff from across HMC’s five hospitals in attendance. Dr. Al Houty also personally sent a letter of thanks to every staff member, recognizing their dedication.
Dr. Derick Pasternak, Managing Director of JCI Middle East, praised the organization:
“This achievement reflects the outstanding leadership and dedication of the entire Hamad team. Congratulations to all involved.”
H.E. Turki Al Khater, Managing Director of HMC, described the moment as historic:
“Today marks a remarkable accomplishment in HMC’s history. This milestone reinforces our ambition to be a global leader in healthcare. Our journey doesn’t end here—we remain committed to growth, innovation, and excellence.”
Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari, Assistant Managing Director for Operations, added:
“This is a proud day for all of us. Our team has worked tirelessly over the past two years to reach this goal while never losing focus on our core mission: to improve patient care through innovation and compassion.”
Future Developments and Expansion
Alongside the JCI accreditation, HMC continues to lead major developments in Qatar’s healthcare landscape. Notable projects include:
Medical City, the largest healthcare complex in the Middle East, soon to open, featuring three specialized hospitals: a 320-bed children’s hospital, a 220-bed bone disease center, and a 350-bed rehabilitation center
A new central laboratory to consolidate diagnostic services
A knowledge transfer program with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to enhance emergency care
Implementation of Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) to modernize radiology services
A collaboration with Germany’s University Clinics of Heidelberg (UCH) to launch a bone marrow transplant program
A cutting-edge neonatal metabolic screening service to detect 32 inherited metabolic disorders, tailored to the Gulf region’s needs
This latest achievement affirms HMC’s position as a pillar of healthcare excellence in Qatar and the wider region.
Press release
